How to Become a Teacher in Nevada: Certification Guide
Nevada requires a bachelor's degree, a state-approved teacher preparation program, and passing Praxis exam scores before the Nevada Department of Education will issue a teaching license. Traditional candidates typically finish in four to five years. Those who already hold a bachelor's degree can qualify through an alternative or post-baccalaureate route in as little as one to two years.
Here's how to become a teacher in Nevada, in short: pick a grade level and subject, earn a bachelor's degree through an approved preparation program, pass your Praxis exams, and clear a background check. Nevada's public schools employ about 9,550 elementary teachers and 8,920 secondary teachers, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Nevada Department of Education administers and issues educator licenses, while the state's Commission on Professional Standards in Education (COPS) sets the underlying licensure standards and testing requirements.
Choose What You Want to Teach
The first decision is which grade level and subject you want to teach. Elementary, middle, secondary, and special education each require a different Nevada license, so settling on one early keeps you from taking coursework you won't need. If you already know you want to teach a specific subject in high school, look for a preparation program with that endorsement built in from the start.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree to Meet Nevada's Teaching Requirements
The traditional route to a Nevada teaching license is a bachelor's degree earned through a teacher preparation program approved by the Nevada Department of Education. Many, though not all, of these programs carry accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): accreditation status varies by program and by institution, so confirm it directly with the program you're considering rather than assuming.
If you don't yet have a bachelor's in education, ask a college or university advisor whether the school offers a blended program. Most accredited institutions do. Blended programs combine the coursework for a bachelor's degree with a teacher preparation program, so if you know you want to teach from the start, enrolling in a joint program early saves you a second round of coursework later.
Complete a Teacher Preparation Program
Teacher preparation programs run online or on-site through most accredited colleges and universities, combining coursework in subject-based teaching methods, differentiated instruction, and lesson design with fieldwork like student teaching and classroom observations alongside a veteran teacher. If you decide on teaching early in college, a joint or blended program lets you complete the preparation program alongside your bachelor's degree. If you already have a degree, a post-baccalaureate or alternative route works instead.
Alternative Teacher Certification in Nevada
Aside from the traditional bachelor's-plus-preparation-program sequence, Nevada's Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) pathway lets candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree, but haven't finished a traditional preparation program, work toward licensure while teaching under supervision. Separate pathways exist for Career and Technical Education (CTE) licensure, which can draw on relevant work experience instead of a traditional education degree. Confirm which pathway fits your background with the Department of Education.
Teacher Certification Reciprocity
Nevada welcomes teachers licensed in other states. If your out-of-state license is valid, meaning not provisional, alternative, emergency, or temporary, it may qualify for reciprocal licensing or waive some Nevada testing requirements, provided your grade levels and subject areas match what Nevada licenses. You can find the Nevada Reciprocity Application and more on alternative routes on the Department of Education's website. If you're weighing a move from a neighboring state instead, see How to Become a Teacher in Idaho for a side-by-side look at that state's requirements.
Pass the Exams Required for Nevada Teacher Certification
Most Nevada licenses require the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test, though Nevada exempts candidates with qualifying ACT/SAT scores, an equivalent basic-skills test, or certain approved coursework. Most licenses also require the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam matched to your grade level. Many, though not all, licensure areas also require a content-area test tied to your specific subject or endorsement - existing Nevada license holders adding an endorsement that would normally require one may qualify for a waiver. The Praxis Series website lists current test names, passing scores, dates, and locations for Nevada.
Some preparation programs require passing certain tests before you can enter or exit the program, so ask your advisor or program representative what's required of you specifically.
Apply for Your Nevada Teaching License
Nevada issues a few license types depending on where you are in the process: a Provisional license for candidates still finishing requirements, a Standard License once you've met initial requirements, and a Professional License for those who add a master's degree, another advanced degree, or National Board Certification, plus at least five years of verifiable full-time teaching experience. Most new teachers start with a Standard License.
Application Requirements
To apply for a Nevada teaching license, submit:
- Licensure application form (available on the Department of Education website)
- Official college transcripts
- Proof of completion of a teacher preparation program
- Passing scores on your required tests
- Foreign transcript evaluation, if applicable
- A criminal background check, completed via electronic Livescan through an approved Nevada vendor for most in-state applicants, or a Form FD-258 fingerprint card, typically used by out-of-state applicants
- Non-refundable application fee of $210.00
Contact Information
Northern Office
Nevada Department of Education
Carson City Main
700 E. Fifth Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 687-9115
Southern Office
Nevada Department of Education, Las Vegas
2080 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 210
Las Vegas, NV
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F
Phone: (702) 486-6458
Find a Teaching Job in Nevada
Once you've cleared licensure, you're ready to apply. Nevada has ongoing shortages in several critical areas, including special education, language arts, and math.
Labor Unions for Teachers
After accepting a job offer, teachers can join a state labor union chapter such as the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA), which advocates for members' professional rights.
Retirement Benefits for Teachers
Nevada teachers build retirement income through the Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (NVPERS), a monthly pension based on years of service.
Private Schools in Nevada
Nevada's private schools also hire teachers, and roughly half of the state's private schools carry a religious affiliation. Certification requirements vary by school, so confirm directly with any private school you're considering.
Teacher Shortage Areas in Nevada
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education identifies these as Nevada's Teacher Shortage Areas:
- Art PreK-12
- Early Childhood, PreK-K
- Elementary Education 1-5
- Combined Classrooms PreK-12
- Special Education (Adaptive Physical Education, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Disabilities, Visual Impairment, Emotional Disabilities, Life Skills, Hearing Impairment) PreK-12
- Mathematics 6-12
- General Science 6-8
- Physical Science 6-12
- ESOL PreK-12
Number of Public and Private School Teachers in Nevada by Grade
Nevada teacher employment by grade level and specialty, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2025:
| Grade Level | Number of Teachers |
|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 2,360 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,400 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 9,550 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 3,910 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 8,920 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 430 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | 290 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | 350 |
Unlike the national trend, where core K-12 roles are projected to decline slightly, Nevada is expected to see modest growth through 2034: elementary teaching positions up about 1.2%, with roughly 700 openings a year, and secondary positions up about 1.5%, with about 600 openings annually, per Projections Central.
Continue Your Education and Professional Development
Once you hold a state teaching license, professional development becomes a career-long requirement that improves classroom practice and supports student achievement. Look for opportunities that line up with your state, district, and school goals: subject-matter depth, classroom technology, supporting students with disabilities, and new assessment methods.
Professional Development in Nevada
Nevada renewal rules require teachers to complete 90 clock hours, six semester credits, or an equivalent combination of the two per licensure period, distributed across the subjects they teach. If you need clarification on what counts, your Regional Professional Development Program (RPDP) is the right place to ask.
Earn a Master's Degree to Move Up to a Professional License
You don't need a master's degree to teach in Nevada, but it's worth considering. The Nevada Department of Education awards a Professional License, its more advanced credential, to teachers who complete a master's degree (or another advanced degree or National Board Certification) and have at least five years of verifiable full-time teaching experience.
New Nevada educators start with a five-year Standard License. A Professional License runs longer: six years, or eight with an educational specialist degree, or ten with a doctorate or National Board Certification. Both require six credit hours per renewal cycle, whether professional development or college credits. Details are on the Department of Education's license renewal page.
Teacher Pay in Nevada
Statewide, kindergarten and elementary teachers in Nevada earned a median annual salary of $64,930 to $65,040 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on the district's own salary schedule, which typically factors in degree level and years of experience, so check the schedule published by the district where you're applying for specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a teacher in Nevada?
The traditional path, a bachelor's degree plus an approved teacher preparation program, typically takes four to five years. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in any field, an alternative or post-baccalaureate certification program can get you licensed in one to two years while you teach under a mentor.
What tests do I need to pass for Nevada teacher certification?
Most licenses require the Praxis Core Academic Skills test, though ACT/SAT scores or approved coursework can exempt you, plus the Praxis PLT exam for your grade level. Many, though not all, licenses also require a content-area test tied to your specific subject.
Can I teach in Nevada with an out-of-state license?
Often, yes. If your license is valid, meaning not provisional, alternative, emergency, or temporary, and it covers grade levels and subjects Nevada also licenses, you may qualify for reciprocal licensing or have some Nevada testing requirements waived.
Do I need a full license to substitute teach in Nevada?
No. Nevada offers a separate Substitute Teaching License with its own, lower entry requirements than a standard teaching license. Confirm current eligibility requirements with the Nevada Department of Education before applying.
What's the difference between a Standard and Professional teaching license in Nevada?
A Standard License is the entry credential most new teachers hold, valid for five years. A Professional License requires a master's degree (or another advanced degree or National Board Certification) plus at least five years of verifiable full-time teaching experience, and it renews on a longer cycle: six to ten years, depending on the credential.
- The core path is bachelor's, prep program, exams, background check - the Nevada Department of Education licenses every route, traditional or alternative.
- Already have a degree? You can move faster - a post-baccalaureate or alternative certification program can get you licensed in one to two years.
- Reciprocity can shortcut the process - a valid, non-provisional out-of-state license may waive some Nevada testing requirements.
- A Professional License takes a master's degree plus experience - at least five years of verifiable full-time teaching, and it comes with a longer renewal cycle than the standard five-year license.
- Nevada's teacher job growth bucks the national trend - elementary and secondary teaching roles are projected to grow modestly here through 2034, even as they decline nationally.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Preschool Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, and Special Education Teachers. Job growth projections (2024-2034) for Nevada are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
You've already picked Nevada: the programs listed on this page are worth comparing for how each handles preparation coursework, fieldwork placement, and the timeline to your first classroom. Several accept applicants who already hold a degree in another field.